WINNIPEG -- Ottawa led the CFL with 62 sacks this season, with six players registering five or more. It speaks of the Redblacks depth but also their willingness to play for each other.

Being a Redblack means being selfless.

"They're working for one another," said defensive back/linebacker Antoine Pruneau. "That's Redblacks football."

Defensive end Justin Capicciotti says the Redblacks play for the guy next to them.

"Even if I'm not going to get the sack, maybe I can set up the guy next to me so he can get a sack. We work together very well," said the six-foot-three 235-pounder, who ranked third in the league with 12 sacks.

Echoed defensive end Shawn Lemon: "We mesh well together. We look out for one another."

Coach Rick Campbell wouldn't have it any other way.

"You do have to have the talent level but at the same time I think you need to surround yourself with quality people with some character," Campbell said after a chilly morning practice Friday. "So that when things don't go well, people don't point fingers and throw each other under the bus.

"And also in tough games, when the game's on the line, people aren't complaining or whining. They're people that look for solutions instead of looking for blame."

That brotherhood and commitment to the cause will be tested Sunday against the favoured Edmonton Eskimos in the 103rd Grey Cup.

But in a week where Toronto Raptor James Johnson showed the selfish end of the athlete spectrum by tweeting "Mood. Under-utilized," the Redblacks have been poster boys for unity.

Ottawa's ability to establish an identity in just its second year in the league is remarkable. But Campbell and GM Marcel Desjardins were able to build the team from the bottom up.

Adding more skill to last season's base, the Redblacks went from 2-16 to 12-6.

"When I got hired 23 months ago we had no coaches, we had no equipment, we had five players. Marcel was there with a few of our scouts. And that was it," Campbell recalled Thursday night after winning coach of the year honours.

"So it's a pretty big deal for us in 23 months to grow that fast."

Today the franchise is one win from the Grey Cup and collecting trophies. Also Thursday, quarterback Henry Burris was named the league's Most Outstanding Player, SirVincent Rogers Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman and receiver Brad Sinopoli Most Outstanding Canadian.

Depth and that selfless approach have paid dividends, especially on the defensive line where Ottawa draws from four defensive tackles.

"There are some guys I've been around over the years, they want stats and they want to play all the time and all that stuff," Campbell said. "These guys are buying into the fact that we're doing what's best for the team, that we can be fresh in the fourth quarter. So (I) appreciate those guys, that they're in as a unit."

Veteran defensive co-ordinator Mark Nelson says Campbell has managed to link all parts of the team together.

"If the offence is doing good, that makes our defence better because we're rested. And we can be fresher," Nelson said. "And then if the defence can go out fresh and get the ball back for our offence, we can wear the other team down."

Campbell says he expects minimal lineup changes Sunday.

Defensive back Jerrell Gavins (leg) won't play, with Forrest Hightower and Brandon Sermons possible replacements.

William Powell remains the starter at running back. Jeremiah Johnson, who has been sidelined with a foot injury, is available but unlikely to play.

Chris Milo will handle all the kicking duties.